Liquid sprayer



Aprila, 1945. Y L, c. MCKAY 2,372,678

LIQUID SPRAYER Filed March 31, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 g-J A 2051ATTORNEY.

April 3, 1945. l.. c. MGKAY 2,372,678

LIQUID SPRAYER Filed March 31. 1941 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .position inservice,

Patented pr. 3, 1945 l UNITED STATES' PATENr oFFlca LIQUIDSPBAYEB LesterC. McKay, Elm

ration of New York wood Park, Ill., assigner to Sears, Roebuck andCo.,l

Chicago, lll., a corpo- Appllcatlon March 31. 1941, Serial No. 886,017

9 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid sprayers and is concerned moreparticularly with paint and other sprayers including those of the guntype carried and moved by the operator's hand, usually with a rubbertion to a relatively tank containing air under pressure.

The conventional paint gun of the type referred to has been lfoundunsatisfactory because the arrangement of it parts requires theoperating hand and wrist of the user to assume awkward, unnatural andinconvenient positions relative to his arm in order to hold the nozzlein the proper with the result that the operators wrist and arm become sofatigued that he cannot operate the gun for more than a minute or socontinuously, with a consequent impairment in his emciency and the'quality .of work done, and loss of time to accomplish a givenassi8nment.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to provide a gun of the typereferred to having the stationary air compressor or Aadvantages ofconventional guns and none of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

A further object is to provide a gun so balanced that its nozzle may beheld with complete comfort and minimum fatigue in proper juxtapositionto the surface of to be treated. irrespective of the volume of thecontents oi' the can and ir- Points.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a paint gun in which thehandle also functions as the connection between the nozzle and the paintcan carried therewith.

Another object is to provide a gun of the type referred to formed to beused interchangeably with a can to be carried therewith or with a hoseleading from a stationary source o1' liquid supply.

An additional object is to provide a gun having the advantages referredto using a conventional supply can.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

The word paint is used herein not by way of limitation but forconvenience to obviate the necessity of using the term treating liquid.

The invention will be better understood upon reference to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal view, mostly in section, some of the partsbeing in different planes, through a gun embodying features of myinvention, showing the air and paint conduits and taken as indicated bythe line I l in Fig. 2.

or other flexible tube connecvrespective of the direction in which thenozzle 3 Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front sectional view taken as indicatedby the line 2 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front sectional view taken as indicated by the line 3 3 inFig. l.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view looking down, taken as indicated by the line4 4 in Fig. 1. the paint tube connection being omitted.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1, partly in section andpartly in elevation, showing the paint conduits, some of the parts beingin different planes, taken generally as indicated by the line 8 5 inF18. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom sectional view taken as indicated by theline 6 8 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view looking upward and taken as indicated by theline 1 1 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view looking upward and taken asindicated by the line 8 8 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the device, taken as indicated by the lineIl l in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section-elevation slmilar to the portionprojecting down into the can in Fig. 1 but modified for connection witha hose from a stationary paint supply.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown in Figs. 1-10an embodiment of my invention in which a paint can is connected with thenozzle as a portable unit.

In Ythis form of the invention, there is provided a nozzle body I5 and ahandle Il therefor of the structure shown preferably cast integral andpreferably with their ply hose 21 at a axes in substantially the sameplane, the handle being contoured to fit comfortably in the hand, andforming preferably an obtuse angle with the forepart I9 of the nozzlebody, the angle being selected with an 'eye to permitting the hand andwrist to be held in natural, unstrained positions relative to each otherand the operators arm when the device is normally in use. This angleaccordingly is preferably about A- paint can 2 I detachably carried bythe handle completes the assembly which is carried as a unit in the handof the operator.

The handle I1 has preferably in the lower part thereof a lateral bore 23tapped at its outer end 25 for connection to a compressed air suppointbelow the hand on the handle. The other end of said bore meets alongitudinal passage 29 whose free lower end is closed as by a cleanoutplug 3| engaging a gasket I3 and whose upper end meets the inner end ofa bore 35 Awhich extends preferably longitudinally of the nozzle bodyI5. The .free end of the borev v29 by a valve element 43 engageable withthe shoulder or seat 45 between the bores 35 and 4|. The valve elementis detachably mounted as by means of a screw 4| on the end i9 of a valvestem. 5I, said end being of smaller diameter than the bore 4I to affordan annular passage 53 therebetween. The stem 5| has an enlarged portion55 slidably fitting the bore 9| and providing therewith suitable bearingto properly guide the stem in its reciprocations. A packing gland 5l istted about the enlarged portion 55 of the stem 5| and in a counterbore59 at the front end of the bore 4|. The enlarged portion 55 of' the stemhas a flange 6| between which and the gland 5i a coil spring B3 isdisposed under an initial compression to insure the closing of the valveelement 43 when opening pressure thereon is not applied by the operator.

lA trigger 55 preferably of stamped sheet metal or other material, andhaving yoke arms 51 hinged as at 39 to the nozzle bodypw, has anactuating portion slotted as at 1| and straddling a forward portion 13of the stem beyond the flange 0| of the stem. The tongue or hook 15 ofthe trigger extends downwardly preferably in front of and normallyspaced from the upper part 'il of the handie, where the hook isconveniently pulled by the operators iorenger A, second finger or both.The stem 5| has a flange 19 which cooperates with the flange 3| inretaining the trigger 65 in properly assembled relation to the stem.

'I'he nozzle body |5 has an open recess 8| accommodating the gland 51,spring 63, flanges 6| and 19 and trigger 35.

Extending upward from the bore 4| is a port 83 which terminates inanother longitudinal bore 85 in the nozzle body I5, the rear end of thebore 85 being closed as by a cleanout plug 81. The bore 85 terminatesforwardly short of the forward end of the nozzle body I5 andcommunicates with the front of said body by means of a passage 99. 'Ihepassage 89 leads to a circular cavity 9| in the front of the nozzlebody.

A member 93 hereafter referred to in more detail is detachably mountedas by a snug fit in the cavity 9| at the front of the nozzle body so asto give said cavity an annular shape. Fitted about the member-93 is aiet member 95 abutting the front of the nozzle body and having a flange91 with which a flange on a nut 99 engages, the nut being threaded at I0| on the nozzle bod-y to maintain said jet member in leakproofengagement with the nozzle body. The member 93 is exteriorly fluted at|03 and is spaced from the front of the jet member 95 as shown at |05 sothat clear passage is provided from the bore 89 to the annular space 9|,forward through the fiutes |03 into the space |05 and through the jetopening |01 to the outside.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that air under pressure introduced at23 will follow the arrows I09 up the passage 29 and, when the valve 43is open, enter the annular passage 4I, continue through the port 93 intothe bore 85 and continue through the bore 89, annular passage 9|, flutes|03, space |05 and opening |01 to the outside.

A continuation of the port 83 is shown at -body I5.

extending down from the bore 4I and terminating at the upper end of abore I '3 which may extend alongside the -bore 29 in the handle I'|, thebore I I3 terminating at the lower end of the handle. The handle |1 hasa flange II5 adjacent the lower end thereof. Below and in engagementwith the flange IIB is a gasket ||1^in turn engaged by an adapter II9having an inwardly extending ange |2| disposed about a lower threadedsleeve |23 extending from the handle l1. A nut |25 is threaded on thesleeve |23 and engages a gasket |21 contacting the underside of the ange|2I. Thus, when the nut |25 is tightened on the sleeve |23, the adapter||9 is sealed and secured to the handle. 'I'he adapter M9 is internallythreaded at |29 to receivethe-threaded neck |3| of the paint can 2|,said neck terminating in an inwardly directed flange |33 engaging a,gasket |35 which seats against a shoulder |37 on the adapter to providea leakproof connection. The sides of the nut |25 are spaced from theadapter H9, gasket |35 and paint can neck |3| to provide clearance asshown at |39. The adapter has a recess |4| communicating with the bore|I3 in the handle, and a port |43 which establishes communicationbetween the recess |4| and the space |39 and consequently with theinterior of the can above the level of the paint |41.

A needle valve |49 controls the flow from the port to the passage |I3 inthe handle. Accordingly, when the valve 43 is open, admitting air fromthe handle passage 29 to the bore t the needle valve |99 may be adjustedto vary the air.

pressure on the paint |41 in the can 2|.

The handle i1 has another longitudinal bore |5| which terminatesdownwardly in the sleeve |23. Said sleeve is interiorly threaded andthreadedly receives a collar |53 to which is secured a tube |55extending upward substantially throughout the length of the bore I5I andhaving its opposite end |51 secured in a reduced bore |59 extending fromthe upper part of the -bore |5I. A further reduced bore IBI extends fromthe bore |59 and terminates at its upper end |53 in a transverselydisposed passage (Figs. l and 5) extending longitudinally in the nozzleThe rear end of the passage |65 is closed as by a cleanout plug |61.'Ihe passage |65 terminates forwardly short of the front of the body I5.'I'he forepart I9 of the body member I5 has a longitudinal bore |59which communicates with the passage |65 by means of a lateral channel|1I, the outer end of which is suitably closed as by a plug |13. Thevalve member 93 (Fig. 1) has a sleeve extension |15 securely fitted inthe forward end of the bore |69 and, in ad- Vance of the sleeve |15, hasa tapered forwardly converging seat |11 terminating immediately behindthe rear end of the jet passage |01 in the jet member 95.

Threaded in the bore |69 in the nozzle lbody I5 is a packing glandadapter |19 in which a packing gland is threaded. A forward extension|8| passes through the gland |80 and has a forwardly converging taperedend |83 adapted to be yieldably held in snugly fitting contact with thevalve seat |11 by the spring 63.

Secured fluid tight to the nut |25 is a. flexible tube |89 whose lowerend is embedded in a lead or other Weight I 9| o'f spherical or othersuitable shape, adapted to rest on the bottom I 93 of the 'can 2| insuch a manner as to at all times hold the open end |95 of the tube |89adjacent and free from said bottom for the entrance of paint,

- tical. It has been explained how, in response to a pull v on thetrigger Il, air finds its way to the jet openn nexium: of ine sulpermitas; me weight to move to the lower part of the can regardless ofthe position of the can,'to insure constant supply'oi' paint even whenthe nozzle body is vering |01 and, under the control of the needle valve|40, such air also finds its way to the upper part of the can'2| toexert pressure on the paint |01.

The pull on the trigger 05 also draws the tapered and beyond the jetopening |01.

A trigger guard |91 extending forwardly from 4 the handle I1 is solocated as to be engaged with the upper side-of the. third finger of thehand embracing the handle. When the hand thus embraces the handle, thecenter oi gravity of the entire appliance including the paint can 2| andits contents extends substantially in a plumb line passing approximatelythrough the point B, so that when the operator is using the appliancewith a horizontal jet, i` e., with the axis of the nozzle body I5substantially horizontal, it is not necessary for him to hold his handand wrist in an unnatural position or exert upward force at the wristand hand to maintain the nozzle body in the proper position for suchservice.

The distribution of weight is such, moreover, that the appliance isbalanced approximately in the vicinity of the pointB, regardless whetherthe can 2| is substantially full or nearly depleted.

In the embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration, the nozzlebody I5 simulates generally the streamline shape of a bullet. To canyout that motif, I have provided a cap |99 which has near its rim aninwardly projecting rib 20| which is adapted to snap over the rear end203 of the nozzle body and into a circumferential groove 205 in saidend. Said end of the nozzle body is provided with a generallylongitudinally extending recess 201 extending forward from the groove205 and providing an entrance for a screw driver or other tool tofacilitate attachment of the cap. Said cap, when in place, conceals theplug I1, pin 39 and plugs 01 and I 61 at the rear end of the nozzlebody. v

The appliance is preferably provided with a hook 200 by means of whichthe appliance may be suspended from any suitable fixed partwhen not inuse. 4

In the event it is desired to use the nozzle in connection with astationary paint tank, the adapter-'I lil and tank 2| would be dispensedwith and the nut |25 and associated tube |00 and the weight |0| would bereplaced by a hose coupling nut 2|| carrying a hose coupling 2|!projecting downwardly from the nut to receive a hose 2|! which mayextend to the stationary paint tank (not shown).

Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of my invention and, hence, I do notwish to be restricted to the specific form shown oruses mentioned,except to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

Iclaim: v

1. A paint gun comprising a paint can, a handle extending upwardly andforwardly from said can when said can rests on a horizontal support,means connecting said handle to said can, and a nozzle body connected toan upper part of said handle and extending forwardly therefrom in asubstantially horizonta1 plane Awhen said can is resting on thesupport,the weight of the parts being so distributed that when the handle is inthe grasp of the operators hand, said body tends by gravity to assume asubstantially horizontal position.

2. A paint gun comprising a nozzle body, a handle depending from anintermediate portion of said body, the junctureI of the rear part ofsaid handle with said body being shaped to fitnaturally with the part ofthe hand between the thumb and forefinger, trigger-controlled valvemeans for `said nozzle body, said trigger being arranged to be operatedconveniently by a finger of the hand grasping said handle, a guardcarried by said handle below said trigger' and adapted to rest on thethird finger of the hand, and ,a paint can connected to the lower end ofsaid handle, the distribution of weight of the. parts being such thatthe center of gravity is disposed adjacent said guard.

3. A paint gun comprising a nozzle, a handle inclined downwardly andrearwardly from said nozzle when said nozzle is substantiallyhorizontal, a paint receptacle connected to the lower part of saidhandle with the major part of said receptacle disposed forwardly of saidlower part of said handle, said nozzle extending from said handle in thesame direction in which said major part of said receptacle is disposedin relation to said handle, the distribution of the weight of the gunbeing such that the center of gravity of the gun is substantiallyintermediate the ends of said handle. l

4. A paint gun comprising a nozzle, a handle depending from said nozzlewhen said nozzle is substantially horizontal, a paint receptacleconnected to the lower part of said handle with the major pari; of saidreceptacle disposed forwardly of said lower part of said handle, saidnozzle extending from said handle in the same direction in which saidmajor part of said receptacle is disposed in relation to said handle,the distribution of the weight of the gun being such that the center ofgravity of the gun is substantially intermediate the ends of saidhandle, and means detachably coupling said handle with said receptacle,said means including a receptacle cap having its outer surfaceconfigured to merge with and form a smooth substantially uninterruptedcontinuation of the adjacent outer surfaces of said receptacle andhandle.

5. A paint gun comprising a nozzle, a handle depending from said nozzlewhen said nozzle is substantially horizontal, a paint receptacleconnected to the lower part of said handle with the major part of saidreceptacle disposed forwardly of said lower part of said handle, saidnozzle extending from said handle in the same direction in which saidmajor part of said receptacle is disposed in relation to said handle,the distribution of the weight of the gun being such that the center ofgravity of the gun is substantially intermediate the ends of saidhandle, and means 1I detachably coupling said handle with saidreceptacle, said means includinga receptacle cap having its outersurface configured to merge with and form a smooth substantiallyuninterrupted continuation of the adjacent outer surfaces of saidreceptacle and handle, the remainder oi said coupling means beingdisposed within the confines of said surfaces. A

6. A paint gun comprising a nozzle, a paint receptacle, a. handledependingr from said nozzle to said receptacle when said nozzle issubstantially horizontal, the. axis of said handle at` the juncturethereof with said receptacle being eccentric to the axis of saidreceptacle, said nozzle extending from said handle in the same directionin which the axis of said receptacle is disposed in relation to the axisof said handle, and means detachably coupling said handle with Saidrceptacle, said means including a receptacle cap having it outer surfaceconfigured to merge with and form a smooth substantially uninterruptedcontinuation of the adjacent outer surfaces of said receptacle andhandle.

7. A paint gun comprising a-nozzle, a paint receptacle, a handledepending from said nozzle to said receptacle when said nozzle issubstantially horizontal, the axis of said handle at the juncturethereof with said receptacle being eccentric to the axis of saidreceptacle, said nozzle extending from said handle in the same directionin which the axis of said receptable is disposed in relation to the axisof said handle, and means detachably coupling said handle with saidreceptacle, said means including a receptacle cap having its outersurface congured Vto merge with and form a smooth substantiallyuninterrupted continuation of the'adjacent outer surfaces of saidreceptacle and handle, the remainder of said coupling means beingdisposed Within the coniines of said surfaces.

8. A paint gun comprising a nozzle, a handle depending from said nozzlewhen said nozzle is aavaevs substantially horizontal, a paint receptacleconnected to the lower part of'said handle with the major part of saidreceptacle disposed forwardly of said lower part of `said handle, saidnozzle ez:- tending from said handle in the same direction in which saidmajor part of said receptacle is disposed in relation tosaid handle, acap having a threaded connection lwith said receptacle and an adjustableconnection with' said handle, whereby said cap and handle may beadjusted to locate said receptacle in the aforesaid relation wheneverthe partsare assembled, and means forl maintaining said cap and handlein the desired adjustment, said handle having a paint passag:` leadingto said nozzle, and said cap having opening aiording access of paintfrom said re-v ceptacle` to said passage.

9. A paint gun comprising a nozzle, a handhdepending from said nozzlewhen said nozzle substantially horizontal, a paint receptacle conH4nected to the lower part of said handle with the major part of saidreceptacle disposed forwardlyv of said lower part of said handle, saidnozzle eistending from said handle in the same direction in which saidmajor part of said receptacle is diaposed in relation to said handle, acap having threaded connection with said receptacle and an adjustableconnection with said handle, whereby said cap and handle may be adjustedto locate said receptacle in the aforesaid relation when' ever the partsare assembled, and means fc: maintaining said cap and handle in thedesirez adjustment, said handle having a paint passage leading to saidnozzle, and said cap having an opening affording access of paint fromsaid recep tacle to said passage, said cap having its outer surfaceconfigured to merge with and form a smooth substantially uninterruptedcontinuationI of the adjacent outer surfaces of said receptacle andhandle.

LESTER C. MCKAY.

